Although the Glaslyn Osprey nest has failed this year, we have been excited by the prospect that a pair of Hobbies are likely to be breeding near to the Osprey nest. Our first sighting of two Hobbies was on May 12, although their calls were heard the previous day. They were then recorded almost daily.
We last saw the Hobby pair on the evening of June 10, when they were observed mating in one of the oak trees behind the Osprey nest. The female Hobby had spent many hours perched in that area, the male delivered food to her there and we also spotted the pair mating on the oak trees.
It was interesting to note that while the Hobby pair were regularly using these trees the two Ospreys avoided perching in that particular area. On June 11 KC6/Teifi perched on the dead tree in the copse for the first time in a few weeks and the Osprey pair began perching and feeding there regularly again. This indicated that the female Hobby was likely to have commenced brooding eggs.
Although we have not located the nest as yet, mainly to avoid disturbance at the early stages of the breeding cycle, volunteers at the Protection Caban have regularly logged sightings of a hunting Hobby and we have had Hobby sightings along the river at Pont Croesor, which is well within the foraging distance of a Hobby of up to 6km.
Hobbies do not build their own nests, but most frequently use the nests of Carrion Crows. Incubation typically lasts between 28 and 32 days, which means that the 2-4 eggs could very soon commence hatching. The period from hatching to fledging is 28 to 34 days and the young remain with the female around the nesting area for around 2 to 3 weeks before extending their range over the following 2 weeks. Hopefully we should soon see an increase in Hobby activity if the breeding attempt is successful and as their breeding season commences later than Ospreys they might well still be active after the Ospreys have left.
Hope you enjoy the footage of the pair’s last appearance on camera!